Poison Extractors

[Elines]

I was thinkiing of geting one of these for my FAK on the basis that if I had one when I was stung/bitten it would be really useful - so long as it didn't take up much space /cost a lot.

I have searched the BCUK forums for 'poison extractor' but not found anything on them.

Based on a quick look on the internet they seem to be based on suctionA cheap one is at http://www.purpleturtle.co.uk/acatalog/After_Bite_Solace.html (the Ben's one at £4.95)

Does anyone have any experience of this type of device/advice they could give? eg

do they work?
what features should you look for ?
do they stop working after a few uses?
can you make one out of an old beer can and paracord?
etc

Is the Aspivenin Poison Extractor worth the extra £10

 

[Elines]

?has no-one ever used one of these - or wished that they had one with them??

 

[Barn Owl]

IMHO don't waste your money.

If your bitten or stung an afterbite lotion or spray should suffice,some antehistamine product too perhaps.

If it was an adder bite,don't panic,you'd be very unlucky if it affected you seriously.

I'm assuming you're talking of UK here?

 

[Elines]

Yes - for UK use - thanks for your comments Barn Owl

 

[Bravo4]

Hi Elines, I have owned a model similar to the Aspivenin Poison Extractor for over 20 years, made by Sawyer. It looks identical except for the color.
http://www.sawyerproducts.com/B6B.htm
Demonstrated it to a friend just the other day and it's still working good.

It is based on suction and can be operated with one hand. I've never needed it for anything serious but once it extracted a rather large thorn that was deeply buried in my hand. Used it a few times on wasp and bee stings, if done quickly after being bitten it does seem to work well.

I don't carry it very often, sometimes as part of a more comprehensive FAK when traveling with a group in remote areas. Rattlesnakes, otherwise I would not bother. If I was traveling to the UK I would leave it at home.

 

[akabu]

Go for the Sawyer... works,,,splinters too. Press down with one hand and it sucks,for the youngsters... Pimples :}

 

[BorderReiver]

For insect bites, antihistamine ointment.

For adder bites, wash the puncture site with lots of water; snakes don't inject venom, they punture the skin with their fangs and squirt venom onto the site at the same time. Washing the site quickly, stops a lot of the venom from getting into you.

Save your money.

 

[Mikey P]

Waste of time for UK use. Worst you'll get over here is bee/hornet/wasp stings, and you scrape them out with a sharp edge.

Even adder bites are not serious enough for venom extraction. Elevation, compression, water to clean out the wound, ice, rest (keep heart rate down).

Save your money and, as suggested above, get some good anti-histamines.

 

[Elines]

Ok - thanks for the advice - I will give it a miss

 

[Cairodel]

For insect bites, antihistamine ointment.

snakes don't inject venom, they punture the skin with their fangs and squirt venom onto the site at the same time.

Wherever did you get THAT from...???
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing......

Quote : [The Viperidae are a family of venomous snakes found all over the world, except in Australia, Ireland, Madagascar and the Arctic Circle. All have relatively long hinged fangs that permit deep penetration and injection of venom. Four subfamilies are currently recognized.[2]]

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/Adder

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vipera_berus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viperidae